CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Free five-course digital literacy classes are launching in Charlotte, offering adults over 50 years old a chance to get more technically savvy.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, more than a million adults in North Carolina don’t have the skills to take advantage of online services.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Public Libraries, with the help of AARP and the Center for Digital Equity, are changing that with Digital Literacy Charlotte: Tech Titans 50+.
AARP Associate State Director Rebecca Gilbert said the program is piloting in Charlotte, as other areas across the state consider adopting something similar.
“It creates a sense of belonging, which as you get older and might become more isolated becomes increasingly more important,” Gilbert said.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Public Libraries is starting with three courses that meet twice a week over a five week span. Classes start Monday, Oct. 23. Chantez Neymoss with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library said digital literacy courses have taken off in popularity, especially since the pandemic, and there is plenty of interest in this new program.
The Tech Titans 50+ class will be led by AARP volunteers, seniors teaching other seniors about computers, iPads and the internet.
“Because that is the future,” said AARP volunteer Pat Battle.”That is how we’re going to make sure we do access services, that we do communicate with our doctors, that we do order food to our homes, and that we definitely keep in contact with family members.”
Battle and Roger Pierce are volunteers who will be teaching some of the digital literacy courses. Pierce says this is a generation that grew up without the internet, and some students don’t have an email account.
After the five-week course, Pierce says their goal is to help seniors feel safe and confident enough to use the internet, take care of essentials and know how to avoid scams.
“We’re giving them a chance for more independence,” Pierce said. “I can’t wait to see the look on their faces when they finish this five weeks because they’re going to be transformed.”
Seniors can still sign up for the three courses being offered this fall. Charlotte Mecklenburg Public Libraries says three more classes are planned for the spring.